Time to Dream's powerful move makes 3-5 look generous in P.G. Johnson
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The connections of Time to Dream can start dreaming about a trip to the Breeders’ Cup after the heavily favored 2-year-old filly powered home from the back of the pack to a five-length victory in Wednesday’s $150,000 P.G. Johnson Stakes at Saratoga.
Last of seven after a half-mile under Irad Ortiz Jr., Time to Dream was asked for her run around the far turn, made a five-wide move into the stretch, took over from pacesetting Vernon Valley in upper stretch and cruised home an easy winner as the 3-5 favorite. Scratch it, the 5-2 second choice, rallied for second, one length in front of Devilish Grin.
Vernon Valley finished fourth followed by Tiz in Sight, Bayou Brigid, and Sushi. Blanchett was scratched.
It was the second win in as many starts for Time to Dream, who won her debut here on July 25 by 2 1/4 lengths under Jose Ortiz.
Irad Ortiz said trainer Todd Pletcher told him to ride Time to Dream like a good horse and that’s what he did. Despite the early pace being slow - a headstrong Vernon Valley went a half-mile in 49.21 seconds and six furlongs in 1:14 - Ortiz was content with his position.
“She’s such a nice one, she was just traveling beautifully in behind the horses, she gave me a good feel every step of the way,” Ortiz said. “I know we went a little slow but as soon as I move my hands down the backside she jumped on the bridle right away so I’m going to trust her. Like Todd said, ride her like a good one. . . .She was running down the lane.”
Time to Dream, a daughter of Not This Time owned by Mike Repole, covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.68 over firm turf and returned $3.30 to win as the odds-on choice.
Though Pletcher acknowledged he told Ortiz to ride her like a good horse, he was still a little surprised to see her last down the backside.
“I thought we’d maybe be in a little closer position, but we know she’s got that big turn of foot, so he was waiting for that right time to pull the trigger,” said Pletcher, who won his third P.G. Johnson.
Plotting a path toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Oct. 31, Pletcher will have his choice of the Grade 2, $400,000 Jessamine at Keeneland on Oct. 3 or the Grade 2, $200,000 Miss Grillo at Aqueduct on Oct. 4 as a way to get there.
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